<em class="hl">Pan-Government Task Force Begins Inspection of Agricultural and Fishery Product Distribution Structure</em>

by Song Seungseop

Published 05 Apr.2024 11:00(KST)

Updated 05 Apr.2024 15:22(KST)

Kim Byung-hwan, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, is presiding over the "16th Vice Ministerial Meeting on Prices" at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 5th. Photo by Ministry of Economy and Finance

The government announced on the 5th that it will form a task force (TF) to improve the distribution structure of agricultural and marine products and begin an on-site inspection.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance held the 16th Vice Ministerial Meeting on Prices at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, chaired by Kim Byung-hwan, the first vice minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, to discuss this plan.

The TF was established as an inter-ministerial body including the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Fair Trade Commission, in response to the raised need for improving the distribution structure of agricultural and marine products. Starting today, it will inspect the shipment and distribution status of agricultural products at 32 public wholesale markets nationwide, agricultural product distribution centers (APCs), and large retail companies. Based on the results of the on-site inspections, the government plans to prepare and announce a "Plan to Improve the Distribution Structure of Agricultural Products."

Regarding food prices, it was explained that the consumer-perceived prices have been continuously falling due to the effect of emergency price stabilization funds injected since the 18th of last month. Additionally, from this month, supply conditions are expected to improve as weather conditions improve with longer daylight hours, and alternative fruits such as chamoe and watermelon begin to be shipped in earnest.

Meanwhile, the government decided to strengthen inspections on petroleum prices and quality to prevent illegal and opportunistic price hikes amid recent international oil price increases. The monitoring will be conducted by the "Inter-Ministerial Petroleum Market Inspection Team," which has been operating since October last year. The main targets of the inspection are over 1,600 gas stations with a history of illegal petroleum distribution, such as selling counterfeit petroleum. The government plans to continue strengthening inspections during vulnerable times such as nighttime and conduct inspections using undercover vehicles through the first half of the year.